papadage":1rkrzb3c said:
It is sweet looking. How is the interior?
Lots of design details, quality leather, a few tasteful carbon fiber accents. Two-tone leather/fabric seating. I would put it up against a TL, A6, or 5 series in most respects. There are really nifty little bits of adornmnent, like the fact that when you shut it off, it plays a little tune and then you see a car drive across the dash screen flashing a message "Thank you, see you soon." When you turn the car on, it makes another little happy tune, then runs self-diagnostics.
I did not get the nav package or sunroofs, primarily because the two packages required to get them tack on another $5k, and more realistically because the only one on the lot that had both was black...and I don't like black cars. (OMG that's racist!)
According to what I'm seeing from both on-board reporting and anecdotes from folks at the dealership, I can expect about 26mpg out of the 2.0L twin-screw Turbocharged engine. It has an eco mode which may boost that up a bit, but I probably won't use it. Why? Because this thing puts out max torque of ~270ft-lb, in a flat curve from 1750-4500 rpm. Basically, the juice is almost always there when you mash the pedal. There is *slight* throttle lag at lower RPMs.
It can definitely use better tires that what they put on it at the dealership. When I was playing around while driving it home, I could get some noticeable wheel hop under hard acceleration. The traction/stability control quickly brings it under control...but what if I turn that stuff off?
(accomplished via an easily accessible button)
The stereo is decent enough, but I'm not really qualified to say that, based on recent lounge threads. (IIRC it's an Infinity system...bluetooth, MP3, sirius, CD, etc)
Phone pairing was absolutely painless, took maybe 30 seconds, and the car was smart enough to download my phonebook as well (a feature that was stated but never successful in my 09 Murano)
The keyless entry is intuitive. I expect that nowdays. Just press the button and as long as you have a key on your person, it opens. At night, when you walk up near the car with a key on your person, it turns on the dome light for you to help you see.
There is more than adequate head and leg room (I'm 6'4 and 300ish lbs). The seat bolsters are nice and supportive without being overdone.
I'm still having to get used to getting 'down' into my car again, after driving crossovers for the last 9 years...but I'll get used to it I'm sure.
Overall, this car is a serious value for what you get in terms of comfort, amenities, and performance. With incentives, it's well under $30k. (under $27k in my case)
